The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

display standard
display standards
video display standard

    IBM and others have introduced a
   bewildering plethora of graphics and text display standards
   for IBM PCs.  The standards are mostly implemented by
   plugging in a video display board (or "graphics adaptor")
   and connecting the appropriate monitor to it.  Each new
   standard subsumes its predecessors.  For example, an EGA
   board can also do CGA and MDA.

   With the PS/2, IBM introduced the VGA standard and built
   it into the main system board motherboard.  VGA is also
   available as a plug-in board for PCs from third-party vendors.
   Also with the PS/2, IBM introduced the 8514 high-resolution
   graphics standard.  An 8514 adaptor board plugs into the PS/2,
   providing a dual-monitor capability.

   Graphics software had to support the major IBM graphics
   standards and many non-IBM, proprietary standards for
   displays.  Either software vendors provided display drivers
   or display vendors provided drivers for the software package.
   In either case, switching software or switching display
   systems was fraught with compatibility problems.

    Display    Resolution Colours Sponsor	Systems

    MDA	    720x350 T	  2   	IBM     PC
    CGA	    320x200	  4   	IBM     PC
    EGA	    640x350	 16   	IBM     PC
    PGA	    640x480	256   	IBM     PC

    Hercules   729x348	  2   non-IBM	PC

    MCGA	    720x400 T
   	    320x200 G	256		PS/2

    VGA	    720x400 T
   	    640x480 G	 16

    SVGA	    800x600	 16	VESA

    XVGA	   1024x768	256	(IBM name: 8514)

   T: text,  G: graphics.

   More colours are available from third-party vendors for some
   display types.

   See also MDA, CGA, EGA, PGA, Hercules, MCGA,
   VGA, SVGA, 8514, VESA.

   [What were the corresponding "mode" numbers"?]

   (2011-03-20)